New York City is an ideal day trip destination for those who live within driving or bus trip distance. Walking through Central Park can take a whole day with its many points of interest and historic sites besides numerous recreational sports activities. Baseball fields are available for pickup games or recreational league events. The city's beaches, boating facilities and nature centers are some of the many ways to enjoy a day trip to New York City.
Central Park
New York City's Central Park is a fun walking tour that includes shopping and numerous historical sites. Enjoy the Central Park Zoo or walk over to Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon. The Dakota, the home of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, can be seen at 72nd and Central Park West. Shop at the park's mall, have lunch at one of its many vendor food carts or boathouse. Wollman Rink is available for ice skating, or you can ride the park's carousel. Local artists regularly sell their work in Central Park. Additional park activities include tennis, swimming, biking, rock climbing and inline skating.
Beaches
Enjoy 14 miles of beaches maintained by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. The beaches open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during beach season. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty or in any flagged areas. The city's two surf beaches are located at Rockaway Beach, between 67 and 69 streets, and between 87 and 92 streets.
Nature Centers
New York City's numerous parks also house 15 urban park ranger nature centers. Each center acts as an in-park community center for recreational activities, environmental studies and public education. The Orchard Beach Nature Center is located at Pelham Bay Park's Orchard Beach and opens Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park, home to the country's first public golf course and the oldest house in the Bronx, is located at 246th Street and Broadway. It opens on the same days and times as Orchard Beach Nature Center.
Boating
Hire a charter boat through the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation for fishing, sightseeing and diving with friends and family. The Blue Sea V may be rented for $55 a day at Sheepshead Bay, Pier 7, for fishing. The boat holds up to 129 people. Rent paddleboats or rowboats to explore the lakes of New York City's parks. The Central Park Loeb Boathouse opens, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April through October. Rowboat rental is $12 for the first hour, $3 for each additional 15 minutes and a $30 cash deposit is required. Kayak and canoe launch sites are also available at NYC parks.
Baseball Fields
Spend a day at one of New York City's hundreds of ballfields, many of which are regulation size, although numerous fields are for Little League use. Free baseball instruction is offered in the spring. Reserve a field for your own professional or community league or event. Any organized leagues or event must have a permit to use a ballfield. Those over 18 years old must pay a fee.
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